The Buffalo Bills' decision to bench quarterback Tyrod Taylor this week in favor of rookie Nathan Peterman (who threw five interceptions in the first half before being pulled) was puzzling but did give up clarity that Taylor's time in Buffalo is likely over after this season. There are a number of quality free agent quarterbacks that will be available this offseason, yet with the number of teams who need a quarterback, Taylor will have plenty of suitors. Assuming he doesn't return to Buffalo, which teams could sign Taylor this offseason? Here are his six most likely destinations:
6) New Orleans Saints
Looking for a real darkhorse in the Taylor sweepstakes? New Orleans. Drew Brees is a free agent after the season, and while they would obviously like to keep him, they may not be able to afford to keep him under the salary cap. In case that happens, the Saints will be looking for a quarterback that will help them win immediately. Enter Taylor.
5) Washington Redskins
Washington is in a similar position with Kirk Cousins. They've been unwilling to commit to him the past two years, and if that continues, Cousins will walk for a much bigger contract on the open market. They're also not exactly rebuilding and think they have a playoff-caliber roster. Taylor could give them the best chance to win without Cousins.
4) Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals are another team with a win-now roster, but it's also clear that Carson Palmer is at the end of his career. They don't want to waste a few years while they wait for a young quarterback to develop and will likely look to trade for a quarterback should Palmer choose to retire after the season (which he may do). With Taylor being one of the best quarterbacks available, he would figure to be among their top targets.
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3) New York Jets
It's abundantly clear that the Jets need a quarterback. While they'd like to end up with a top pick to select a franchise quarterback early in the 2018 draft, they may not be able to with a 4-6 record through their first 10 games of the season. Taylor would only be an option for them if they don't get a top pick or if decide they don't like any of those quarterbacks (Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, Josh Rosen) in the pre-draft process (which isn't out of the question), but he's still an option.
2) Denver Broncos
We've been saying this for years, but how good would Denver be with a viable quarterback? For all of Taylor's faults, he would be Denver's best quarterback since the start of Peyton Manning's tenure with the Broncos. They expressed interest in him last offseason and would be expected to do the same this year.
1) Jacksonville Jaguars
Blake Bortles isn't the answer in Jacksonville. However, they have a win-now roster full of veterans (especially defensively) and talented young players that are in first place in the AFC South despite being held back by one of the league's worst quarterbacks. Instead of suffering through more sub-par years with another developing quarterback, signing Taylor would immediately make the Jaguars more of a contender. Expect them to seriously explore that option this offseason.
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